Antique Glassware

Yes, antique glass comes in a variety of colours achieved through the addition of minerals or chemicals during the manufacturing process. Popular colours include cobalt blue and cranberry glass.

The 19th century saw advancements in the technology used by glassmakers. Through this time the addition of gold chloride within the glass mixture allowed for cranberry colour glass; a technique providing a vibrant and consistent rich hue. The glass can vary from pale pink to a deep ruby red, beguiling many collectors and the romantic colour provided a suitable palette for the ornate pieces of the Victorian era. Due to the complexity of the creation of this coloured glass there is a higher expense and it became highly sought after by those who could afford it. The Art Glass moment to the late 19th century celebrated the artistic qualities of glass ware, and due to its unique colour, cranberry glass was ideally aligned with the movement. Due to the process and historical significance, cranberry/red glass is highly collectable within both 19th century and more contemporary examples.

is a vibrant blue created using cobalt oxide, which increased in popularity in the mid-19th century. This glassware was used for medicinal bottles and decorative pieces, and also included as liners with inkwells.

Green glassware is crafted using iron compounds and also found its popularity in the 19th century. The colour can vary from a pale to a deep green and can still be found in wine bottles and jars, in addition to decorative tableware; from desk pieces to bowls.

Amber glassware (also known by the name honey glass) is created using iron and sulphur. In a similar light to the blue and green glass it was used for medicine bottles and beverage containers, with the addition to some decorative antique pieces.

Within the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, the use of opalescent glass increased. This milky, iridescent nature of the glass would allow visual changes depending on the angle it was viewed, which added to the both the organic and simplistic design choices of the period. This style of glass is not to be mistaken with milk glass, which resembles porcelain and was produced from the 16th century for tableware and decorative pieces.